Chapter 113. A Duty to My People

Alison’s POV

The first light of dawn spilled into my room, pale and hesitant, as though even the sun wasn’t entirely sure about starting this day. I sat on the edge of my bed, staring at my half-packed bag, my thoughts as jumbled as its contents. My fingers hovered over the strap, but instead of securing it, I found myself gripping it tightly, the weight of everything settling over me like a suffocating fog.

“Alison, are you ready?” Simone’s voice broke through the stillness, distant but grounding.

“Almost,” I called back, though I hadn’t moved an inch.

Simone had been up for hours, poring over her book of spells, her face illuminated by flickering candlelight in a way that made her look otherworldly. She was focused, determined. Meanwhile, I was stuck in my head, haunted by one name, Kendrick.

I swallowed hard, my stomach churning as the thought of him gnawed at my mind. What role could he possibly play in this fight? He was part of my past, a p